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Ask for help > Idiom needed :)
Idiom needed :)
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ninon100
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Idiom needed :)
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Dear speakers of English - both native and the likes of me :) Recently we �ve been discussing my adult learner �s news. She told me her husband had started his own business. I asked what she thought of the idea. She sounded rather skeptical and said something like "the baby may do whatever he likes as long as he doesn �t cry". In Russian we have a proverb that sounds exactly like that. But what about an English equivalent? I �m at a loss. Please help! What do you say when you think a person is doing something silly but harmless and you are condescending? Something like "whatever makes you happy" - but as an idiom  |
2 Feb 2018
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spinney
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Whatever rocks (or floats) his/her/your boat. I �m sure there are more though. I �ll get back to you if I think of something. |
2 Feb 2018
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cunliffe
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Or you look on indulgently and say �It takes all sorts... �
Edit: I heard my first husband say this to his friend about me after our first meeting, bless him.  Or you can say, �It�s not my cup of tea...� These are not exactly the same, but could be used in that situation.
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3 Feb 2018
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FrauSue
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I like Spinney �s suggestion of "whatever floats your/his boat" best. |
4 Feb 2018
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spinney
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Aw, shucks!  Thanks peeps! I just know there �s a better one out there somewhere, though. What about the Irish? The Emerald Isle is absolutely teeming with poets and writers and must have a few belters up the old linguistic sleeve for throwing around in conversation. |
4 Feb 2018
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redcamarocruiser
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Let him do what he wants, but if he finds he he can �t stand the heat, he �ll have to get out of the kitchen on his own. I took the part of the Russian idiom (as long as he doesn �t cry) to mean that the wife does not want to be responsible or have to attend to any problems that may arise from the new business, but I am not sure if others would interpret it like that, too.
So, combining both parts, Whatever floats his boat, but if he can�t stand the heat, he�ll have to get out of the kitchen (on his own).
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4 Feb 2018
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spinney
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Or, "You can �t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs." Still not "on the nose" but getting closer, perhaps. |
4 Feb 2018
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cunliffe
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A few of these have made me laugh, but I �ve never heard of them. It occurs to me that this could make a good game! Here �s mine: However he eats his pizza.  And with Mary�s observation �as long as it doesn�t give him indigestion.� Or �However he slurps his spaghetti as long as it doesn�t splash me.� OK I�m stopping now. 
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5 Feb 2018
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ldthemagicman
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"If he can �t stand the Heat, he should come out of the Freezer!" "I don �t mind if he eats Everything, and Licks the Plate Clean, provided he leaves something for Me!" "He �s absolutely Useless at playing Rugby, but, at least, he did have a Try!" Les Douglas
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5 Feb 2018
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